Our Other Draft and Adds by Subtracts

[Riffer X]

I have a couple seconds here at work, so let's review our other additions to the team this year outside of who we draft or pick up in FA if applicable, and look at those who are gone or most likely will be.

BACK FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL:

Eric Wright---Heck has an obvious soft spot for Wright, he pretty much bashed him (deservedly) for last season's debacle, yet tendered him for a second. I have to admit I was very wrong on this and though Wright played his last game for the Browns when he got hurt. Nobody is going to give up a second for him, so he is back. This gives us 3 solid corners but if Peterson is picked, Wright would presumably play nickle and Brown would move to safety, regardless what they say now.

D'Qwell Jackson---Huge signing for the team and nobody will give up a second for him. Here is a guy that was once disgruntled with the team for not offering him an extension, but after his injuries he has brought a whole new attitude to the plate. He is a huge addition to our new scheme and a good guy, could be very valuable.

Scott Fujita---Outside of St. Clair having to start at RT, nothing hurt this team more than Fuje going down. Combining with Jackson, that is two possibly really good and versatile LB's on a team thought of as thin at LB. Neither of these guys were in the mix last year after week ten, so consider that a huge bonus that goes undervalued.

Robaire Smith---He has almost been forgotten, but it appears he may still have a year or two left in our new 4-3. He is a good old vet if he can keep it healthy and may help us piece this line together until more fortifications come into play. He could also be cut in training camp, but for now we can consider him back.

Montario Hardesty---Vickers has yet to be tendered, so it could very well be the Browns plan on Hardesty starting at one of the backfield positions with Hillis taking over the other FB or dual back spot. I expect the Browns to draft another running back in the later rounds or go shopping, but don't rule out Mark Ingram in a trade down. 18 games is a long season folks.

Evan Moore---Another nice tender and nobody will give up a second for him coming off IR. He is a nice option for an accurate guy like Colt who can let him go up and get it. He can be a huge fixture in slot packages, goal line or even in some occasional two TE sets matched up on LB's and safeties.

Tony Pashos---When he plays, he is easily an above average RT and still young enough, but the team can't put all their eggs in one basket regarding him with his injury bug. Let's hope this guy has a solid year of starting while we groom a draftee finally.

Jonathan Haggerty---Forgotten man that was the steal of last year's camp until going own for the season. He could be very nice in the WCO in more of the Robo mold.

Carlton Mitchell---Definitely should have played more last season, so if he can make the roster this is a guy who could come out of nowhere to be the player hoped. He is a good kid who works hard, and that is always a good thing when someone has natural ability and frame.

Seneca Wallace---This is a really good signing considering he is a perfect match for this offense. I think people have been a little rough on him from last year. Was he a perfect teammate? No, but let's not pretend he was Jack the Ripper. He should have started when Colt went down and everybody knows it, but there was an obvious rift with the coaching staff that most likely carried over to Wallace separating himself from the Colt/Jake clique. I think he is a pretty good guy and will be much more comfortable in this scheme he is familiar with and a new staff. He knows Colt is the incumbent and I expect a completely different mentoring approach from him this year since he is more familiar with the offense and the situation. Let's face it, last year was his one chance to start in this league and he wasn't allowed to over an injured Jakey D. He probably had a right to be pissed a little.

Shawn Lauvao---Should solidify RG after a redshirt and injured season last year. He was never the same after missing a week of camp for some unknown reason (probably lost a parent etc). He could be a huge factor and would make a nice combo if Billy Yates is resigned. Yates was tremendous before going down.

Kaluka Maiava---Could be a much bigger factor in the 4-3. Not sure about this kid, but the fact that he will be back after injury is good and he could help the thin LB corps. He is on my Facebook and doesn't strike me as a very mature or intelligent kid, but at least the jury is still out and he could find his niche.

Phil Dawson---I was stupefied by the notion that this guy played his last game for the Browns, it never made a lick of sense to me but the media just kept saying it. The Browns showed me they are not stupid by franchising this guy. He is an original expansion player who has been every bit as loyal and a part of Cleveland football as anybody who has ever played here. He has plenty of year's left, knows this stadium and Heinz Field, plus won't be going anywhere to kick against us. Fine job rewarding a guy like him and this only helps foster good relations between the team and players.

Jarrett Brown---I have a gut about this kid being something to the team, even if it is not as a QB (although he could serve an emergency role). It would be nice to know more about him and if he is worth not drafting another QB, but training camp will be his audition. Heard he is not up for rocket scientist of the year, so that kind of precludes him from running the WCO.

Josh Cribbs---He was just starting to make a real contribution at WR when he went down last year. He was pretty much hurt the whole season, but could find a huge role with YAC in this new WCO. I never thought he was the guy to be spread wide and beat press coverage, but get him involved in the underneath game and he is technically the prototype. Expect him to be either more involved offensively or special teams, but not both on a constant basis. Peterson would also be a guy who could take over return duties from Cribbs and Haden isn't bad himself.

Phil Trautwein---Has possibilities as a project RT, don't count him out.

Colt McCoy---I count him as being an addition because we finally have a starter with upside in a system conducive to his skillset. This is a helluva lot better than dealing with Derek Bear or the Queen etc. This is his team, and that can go a long way.

GOING TO HELL:

John St. Clair---Watching him start at RT was not some of my best memories of being a Browns fan. All I could think of was how much better the team could have been with even adequate RT play. That really hurt this team last season.

Eric Barton---Umm, thanks for the memories....I guess?

David Bowens---Man, if this guy could have stayed inside like before Fuje went down, it would have made a huge difference. That said, he played pretty good here but it is time to obviously move on. Good pickup, though.

Chansi Stuckey---Don't believe he will be back. I don't think he sucks, but it is time for this team to move forward and there are other guys with more upside in the WCO. Was it just me, or did it seem like Stuckey never got the first down with YAC? The one time he did, he fumbled the game away.

Robert Royal---The door couldn't hit that guy in the ass fast enough. He was a good guy and all, but he simply is not an NFL pass receiving TE. He had absolutely no role in this new design and shouldn't have been the primary receiver as much as he was last year. Bad coaching to have a guy so involved in the passing game who couldn't catch, and it's not like he was the second coming of Bavaro or Ditka at blocking, either. I do wish him well.

Kenyon Coleman---No ill will here, either. He was having probably his best season before getting injured and did a nice job last year. That being said, he was miscast in the 4-3 and it was again time to move on.

Shaun Rogers---After being his main proponent, I got soured on this guy from this year but now am hearing conflicting reports. Is it possible that he played way more hurt than we suspected? Either way, lose some weight dude, it just looks bad. You can't be teased each year with talents like him for the kind of coin he made. Still, he would have tore it up as a 3 technique in the 4-3 with one gap game if healthy and committed. It would have been a site to see alongside Rubin controlling the middle.

Abe Elam
Lawrence Vickers
Matt Roth
Jakey D
My guess is the above all won't be back or will have contracts renewed.

Let's hear your thoughts................

[Brown Warrior]

Good stuff. PP comment was funny. I think Elam and Vickers come back.

[BernietheKid]

Browns Adjusting to 4-3 Defense
		By The Sports Xchange Posted Mar 4, 2011 Latest roster moves reflect the Browns' will adjust Dick Jauron's scheme. 0 Comments
First the Browns hired Pat Shurmur as head coach and then they hired Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator. The moves were clear signs the Browns were switching to the 4-3 defense team president Mike Holmgren prefers. The next step was to cast off the players that did not fit the 4-3, so the Browns chopped defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Kenyon Coleman plus linebackers Eric Barton and David Bowens. Jauron already has three players capable of starting at linebacker -- Scott Fujita on the strong side plus Chris Gocong and D'Qwell Jackson -- if they re-sign Jackson. But they are in dire need of defensive linemen, particularly defensive ends. Fortunately for the Browns, the 2011 draft is deep at defensive end. As usual, the Browns are picking in the top 10 -- sixth this season, one year after picking seventh. General manager Tom Heckert runs the Browns' draft like a chess master plays his game; he is always thinking about his next move. The Browns need a speedy receiver as much as they need a defensive end. If A.J. Green, the wide receiver from Georgia, is already off the board by the time the Browns pick, there is little doubt Heckert will pick defense first. But if Green is there, Heckert will have 10 minutes to decide whether he can get a starting receiver in the second round with the 37th overall pick, or whether the bevy of defensive ends will push a starting end down to 37. TEAM NEEDS 1. Defensive end: End and wide receiver are really 1 and 1A for the Browns, but if one position is a priority it has to be a pass rusher. For proof, look back no further than the way Clay Matthews helped the Packers get to and win the Super Bowl. In 12 years, the Browns have never had a defensive player opponents fretted about. Robert Quinn of North Carolina would be a perfect fit. 2. Wide receiver: The Browns' leading receiver in 2010 was tight end Benjamin Watson. Brian Robiskie, a good complementary player, tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches. A.J. Green could be the home-run hitter team president Mike Holmgren is seeking. 3. Cornerback: The Browns are satisfied with Sheldon Brown and Joe Haden as starters, but they need a third corner. Eric Wright had a miserable season in 2010. He is a free agent and probably won't be re-signed. INSIDE THE WAR ROOM The Browns could trade the sixth pick to a team desperate for a quarterback. They will have done their homework prior to April 28, but when they are on the clock there will be arguments for A.J. Green, Marcell Dareus and Robert Quinn. PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES --The Browns had three chances to draft Clay Matthews two years ago and ended up choosing center Alex Mack instead. Mack made the Pro Bowl after last season. Casey Matthews, an inside linebacker from Oregon expected to go on the third day of the draft this year, could be on the Browns radar. His father, Clay Matthews II, was a first-round draft choice by the Browns 33 years ago. "Obviously, he comes from pretty good bloodlines there," Browns general manager Tom Heckert said. "He's good a football player. He really is. He's a tough kid. He can run. "To say he's anywhere like his brother and everybody else, is probably not the greatest thing to say right now, to put that pressure on him. But he's got a chance to be a good football player." --One position coach Pat Shurmur won't have to tear up is tight end. He said Benjamin Watson and Evan Moore are good fits for Shurmur's offense because the tight end is a key element of the West Coast system. "It's important when we throw (the tight end) the football, he catches it," Shurmur said. "Some are outstanding blockers and some are outstanding receivers. We feel good about Ben as our starter. He can play three downs. He can block and he was obviously extremely productive as a receiver." Watson caught a career high 68 passes last season. --Shurmur doesn't not sound like a big fan of the Wildcat, but that might be because he hasn't seen Josh Cribbs at 100 percent. "I think there's a place for it," Shurmur said. "I think every team, when it burst on the scene with Miami, every team can say they probably dabbled in it. There's a place for it if you have the right guy to take that snap and he's a non-quarterback." --Big can mean slow, as was evidenced by the Browns' front seven last season. Four of those players -- end Kenyon Coleman and nose tackle Shaun Rogers plus linebackers David Bowens and Eric Barton were released. "We want to get athletic, so at the end we're probably not going to be looking for the huge guy," Heckert said. "We can live with undersized guys. I think there are a lot of those guys in this draft." QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's relentless. He plays hard. I think he spent a lot of time this year with a high ankle sprain and he played through it. He's a high, high-motor guy and he doesn't stop and he makes a ton of plays for a defensive tackle." -- Browns general manager Tom Heckert on defensive tackle Marcell Dareus from Alabama STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL General manager Tom Heckert is confident the Browns do not need a right tackle to supplement their offense. He is counting on Tony Pashos, despite the fact a shoulder injury limited Pashos to five games in 2009 with the 49ers and the fact an ankle injury limited him to three games with the Browns. Heckert could have a change of heart as the draft approaches. Floyd Womack, 32, is a free agent. If the Browns do not re-sign Womack they might have no choice but to add a tackle. OFFSEASON STRATEGY The Browns are morphing to a West Coast offense and a 4-3 defense under head coach Pat Shurmur. That means they will have to revamp some of their personnel, particularly on defense after cutting linemen Shaun Rogers and Kenyon Coleman plus linebackers David Bowens and Eric Barton. Simply put, 320-pound, 30-plus ends don't fit the mold of a four-man line. The Browns will be looking for quicker ends to get to the quarterback. Last offseason, the Browns did virtually nothing to improve their wide receiving corps. They waited until the sixth round to draft a receiver when they took Carlton Mitchell and then rarely played him. The Browns are not likely to wait so long this year. MEDICAL WATCH: No updates. FRANCHISE PLAYER --PK Phil Dawson. TRANSITION PLAYER: None. PLAYERS RE-SIGNED --LB D'Qwell Jackson: RFA; 1 yr, $4.5 million. --QB Seneca Wallace; 3 yrs, $9 million. PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None. PLAYERS LOST --LB Eric Barton (released). --LB David Bowens (released). --DE Kenyon Coleman (released). --NT Shaun Rogers (released). --TE Robert Royal (released). --OT John St. Clair (released). Scout.com: Browns Adjusting to 4-3 Defense

[Tobalaz]

Nice job rif!
I'm pretty much agree with everything there.
The only guy I'd like to see back not on the back list is Roth.
I think he and Bernard could make a good rotation at one of the de spots, at least for a little while.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by Riffer X

D'Qwell Jackson
Scott Fujita
Robaire Smith
Montario Hardesty
Evan Moore
Tony Pashos
Jonathan Haggerty
Let's hear your thoughts................

VERY uplifting post and well put together! Let's not forget, the 2010 Titanic facing good prognosis at 5-7 football didn't hit the glacier of ruin until we had an injury that began in the OT gig with the NY Jets. We get some of these guys back healthy and we get that little bit of momentum and swagger back.

There's some exciting names on that returning list. If healthy, I think we're going to see the BEST D'Qwell Jackson we've ever seen on the outside. Just watch how that improves the first step and overall effect of a fast football player on the front end of plays. IMO, he'll be less prone to the big uglies while there's 2 less thirds of a football field to doubt a first step with. He's always been reliable to make tackles; but this could make him more active near the line of scrimmage where you like your LBers tackling ballcarriers for no gain or a loss at times.

I completely forget about Haggerty, who was the buzz of OTAs and early camp news at a position of need. Most of those names were really good to see. I'm not a big Eric Wright fan after last year; but maybe all the changes make him feel like he has the greener grass he appeared to be wanting. If nobody considers him 2nd round exchange value - it sends the message that you only deserve greener grass if you're not the reason the grass died under your feet in Cleveland. More specifically, it's a kick in the pants to giddyup and get after it. Robaire is good for a rotation body; and he was seemingly the only veteran free agent from the Savage era with more than 3-4 experience. He came from TN's 4-3 so this new defense won't be old dawg - new trick material. All the names were pretty much justifiable if the players can stay healthy.

[Brown Warrior]

I think it's a really valid discussion starter: How good... or bad... is Eric Wright? It seems like a long time ago, but entering last season, a lot of national writers had him pegged as a potential Pro Bowler. The Browns tagged him and clearly believe he's that guy, not the one we saw last year. Holmgren seems high on him, too. He had a pretty terrific 2009... then seemed to crack into pieces after the Boldin humiliation.

Cleveland Browns' Eric Wright determined to overcome rough year, which included death threats from fans | cleveland.com

[Riffer X]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

I think it's a really valid discussion starter: How good... or bad... is Eric Wright? It seems like a long time ago, but entering last season, a lot of national writers had him pegged as a potential Pro Bowler. The Browns tagged him and clearly believe he's that guy, not the one we saw last year. Holmgren seems high on him, too. He had a pretty terrific 2009... then seemed to crack into pieces after the Boldin humiliation.

Cleveland Browns' Eric Wright determined to overcome rough year, which included death threats from fans | cleveland.com

I had Wright pegged as a possible Pro Bowler last year, then the shit hit the fan. Here's what I think. He is an extremely gifted athlete in the ballerina sense. I have spent numerous times at camp really focusing on him and he is a supreme athlete with the feet and quickness, loose hips etc. However, I think he is too soft and depends on his athleticism way too much.

I'm not sure who is to blame on the decision not to have him do more press coverage, but there is almost nobody in the league who can stay with elite NFL receivers when they are giving them 5 or more yards of cushion. All the WR has to do is make one cut move and he will have spacing from Wright, regardless of closing speed and anticipation. Wright is not Deion Sanders or even Champ Bailey, he's more like a Ron Bolton back in the day with his abilities, so he can't bait and hook QB's, he is simply not that elite.

That being said, I think the Browns overrated him and put him on an island way too much with the blitzing everybody. Rather than attacking it with confidence, it appeared Wright was intimidated by it and didn't fully take on the challenge.

Not sure what turned him into such a pussy in the running game either, but it started in 2009 and B-Mac didn't help matters, he was even softer. Toward the end of 09, Wright started sticking people in the running game and looked like he wanted to play some football, but last year he reverted back to trying to avoid being hit. Watch him when it is really cold, he wants nothing to do with contact.

It comes down to will IMO, how bad he wants it and wants to win. Best example of him pissing me off to the point of wanting to punch him last year was not the Boldin game, it was the first Pitt game. We were in that thing and Big Gay hit Ward at around the five yard line on third and goal. My neighbor Mortie growing up could have made the tackle and he sucked, but instead, Wright got sloughed off like a rag doll and Ward got into the endzone. A FG there and we are only down a TD, instead that ultimately iced it for Puke.

If he is going to play slot this year, he needs to take a much more physical approach, and I believe that is directly related to coaching and somebody in Berea is onto that, they figured it out and think they can fix it.

[Brown Warrior]

He'll be one of the more interesting stories of this next season. If he could get his confidence back and be the guy he was in 2009... or at least start working his way back... he could end up being Haden's DB partner for a very long time.

We need some personnel breaks to go our way and that would be a fantastic one. Maybe DQJ and someone like Shaefering, too, guys who "re-emerge."

[YtownBacker]

We are hearing now that Wright had a hamstring problem most of last yer. Could be a cover to get people off his back but also could be something that hindered him all season. Bolden isn't really a speedster and he ate him up. We all know how Mangini was about hiding injuries to try to get an edge on other teams. If Wright was hampered by a hamstring then shame on Mangini and Ryan for sticking him out there one on one and not giving him help over the top.

Everybody plays with injuries but a corner without his speed is a big problem and they got to change schemes to cover him.

[Brown Warrior]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

We are hearing now that Wright had a hamstring problem most of last yer. Could be a cover to get people off his back but also could be something that hindered him all season. Bolden isn't really a speedster and he ate him up. We all know how Mangini was about hiding injuries to try to get an edge on other teams. If Wright was hampered by a hamstring then shame on Mangini and Ryan for sticking him out there one on one and not giving him help over the top.

Everybody plays with injuries but a corner without his speed is a big problem and they got to change schemes to cover him.

I'm always fascinated when a good young player suddenly just stops being good... there's usually a reason if you dig hard enough. Talent doesn't just disappear as if the deal with teh devil ran out.

Whatever the Browns do and in whatever order, we need some good football players we already have to step up.

[Flugel]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

We are hearing now that Wright had a hamstring problem most of last yer. Could be a cover to get people off his back

It sure seemed like he enjoyed sprinting when he got to blitz off the edge or participated in a STs trick play so I don't buy the back pocket excuse. Plus, he made a lame comment about a coverage scheme he disliked/disapproved of and it never sat well with me.

This has never been a high character guy you want to throw your hopes of the future on. Look what he did with his free ride to USC? He's a dime a dozen; and I'd prefer someone that WANTS to be out there in any scheme the DC wants to use. I never saw the special player Savage thought he saw. That said, we have a ton of holes to fill right now so the hope is he does something with his next 2nd chance following football opportunity #2 in Sin City.

[Vegasdogg]

E Wright played piss poor football, made excuses about not wanting to play slot because he wasn't comfortable, tackles worse than a girl, always disregards his own faults, and now I am supposed to wipe the slate clean and HOPE he becomes a good CB? He wasn't pro-bowl material before, so he still has some work to do. And IMO, he needs to show me a lot more. I am trending down on this kid until he shows up.